David Cameron and Conservatives on Track for Government Majority

Despite talks of a hung parliament, David Cameron and his Conservative Party are on track for a majority in Government. The exit polls showed that the party would be 10 short of an overall majority, but updated results hint that he could get a narrow majority. It would mean he could remain as Britain’s Prime Minister.

In 2010, he only became Prime Minister of Britain because of a coalition with the Liberal Democrats. It now looks like he would be able to govern without the need for other parties. While it would be a slim majority, it is still a majority.

The possibility for Cameron came after most of Scotland voted for the Scottish National Party. While the exit polls said that the SNP would have 58 out of 59 seats, it has ended with 56. Conservatives, Labour and the Liberal Democrats held one each. It was a major blow for Labour and the Liberal Democrats, who usually take up the seats. Big names from the Liberal Democrats, like Danny Alexander and Vince Cable. Labour also suffered a high profile loss with Douglas Alexander losing his seat.

There are debates over Cameron’s ability to govern legitimate, especially in Scotland. The party only holds one seat, and SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon has already said that the Conservatives would need to work with her to make a legitimate government. The Prime Minister refuses to acknowledge this as the truth, since the overall vote gives him the power.

Cameron and the Conservatives are now on track for a majority government. There are still a handful of seats to declare, with one seat in Leeds facing a recount because the votes are so close. Labour asked for the recount, suggesting that it is just on the wrong side of a win.

The good news for Conservative voters is that Cameron could even rule with a minority government. If the exit polls are close to being correct, the party will be close enough to a majority to survive a vote of no confidence. Most of the legislative program could be passed. If needed, he could form a small coalition with smaller parties from Ireland, or could just call out to them for support when necessary.

This is the worst result for Labour since 1987, when Margaret Thatcher helped to retain the Conservative’s majority. It is also a difficult time for the Liberal Democrats, which is expected to finish on just eight seats. It will likely see Ed Miliband and Nick Clegg facing expected resignations from their parties.

Cameron has not commented on the opportunity to lead alone. He says that it is still too early to call. During his victory speech when he retained his Witney seat, he did brush over the idea of leading without the Liberal Democrats propping him up. He did say that his aim is to lead alone.

It has been a long night for the whole of the United Kingdom, and a difficult election to call. Many expected a hung parliament, but it looks like the public want a single party ruling. Cameron and his Conservative party look to be on track for a majority government for the next five years.